Custom work - Edge Body Milling Tech index -> Custom Work -> Edge Body Milling

After I developed a drop-in single trigger kit for the AxePro markers, several players inquired whether it would be possible to buy a new marker body that would match the trigger style. I had been waiting for an excuse to create a more tactical-theme marker body which is something I had not explored much in the past. The basic concept was to create a new design with simplistic "flat" surface faces, rather than the intricate 3D-milled curved shapes like so many of my other body styles.

Edge AxePro:
The new AxePro "Edge" theme was born! The marker body is meant to be smooth and repeatative, using patterns of cuts made onto the outside of the body. This design is certainly not appealing to everyone, but hopefully it adds something unique to the goal of a new tactical AxePro marker.
Edge AxePro CAD design
Edge AxePro CAD design

Initially this body is produced using the same process as my other bodies, but some new hardware is required for the final "Edge" pattern. The unmilled body blank is machined using one of my 4-axis CNC mills, which fabricates all required internal features necessary to produce a functional marker body. The body blank is then transfered into my 5-axis CNC mill which creates the final cosmetics. The below set of pictures show the body blank as machined inside one CNC, then the Edge body is finished up in a different CNC.
AxePro body blank, 4-axis milling completed
Edge AxePro during 5-axis milling
Edge AxePro 5-axis milling finished

Certain aspects of the fabrication are made easier through use of the 5-axis CNC, but other factors become much more difficult (and expensive) which is the quick answer to why I prefer using 4-axis for most types of body production. All types of 5-axis milling workpieces must be attached to the machine on the bottom surface, which is a severe limitation compared to my 4-axis rotary method, which allows cuts to be made on the body bottom, top, left, and right. However, the new Edge body consists entirely of sharp corners and flat outside edges, most of which consist of compound angles and facets, so the 5-axis positioning ability becomes extremely useful.

Production:
We made a small batch of these bodies in Spring 2017. The bodies were available as anodized in black dust or sold as raw aluminum versions to build a custom marker. The below pictures show the full range of body finishes; including some raw bodies directly out of the CNC, a body that has been tumbled, a dusted body, and body with polished gloss finish. We don't sell polished bodies but you can polish it yourself using common buffing tools.
Raw machined Edge AxePro bodies
Tumbled Edge AxePro body ready for finishing process
Polished Edge AxePro body ready for anodizing
Polished and dusted Edge AxePro bodies ready for anodizing
Edge AxePro body anodized dust black

Here's the assembled Edge AxePro marker:
Edge AxePro marker
Edge AxePro marker
Edge AxePro marker